About Us
Unseen Heroes is the only organisation in New Zealand dedicated to providing specialised support to all young carers.
Who are Young Carers?
Young carers are children, youth, and young adults aged 25 years and under who physically, emotionally, socially, and/or spiritually support a family/whānau/aiga member(s) who may be experiencing ill health, disability, substance misuse, mental illness, or advanced age, or significantly support their siblings..
They are the invisible heroes in Aotearoa. Young Carers are strong and resilient individuals who are proud to be able to help their families.
Our Story
Te Rina's Early Challenges
Te Rina (Co-Founder) experienced the challenges of caregiving from the age of 16 for her older brother after an accident left him with a Traumatic Brain Injury. She was proud to support her whānau, but the pressure of caregiving became overwhelming. Struggling to balance studies and caregiving, she self-harmed, had suicidal thoughts, and felt a lack of self-love and worth. Guilt overwhelmed her when she found joy in any activity, feeling selfish because her brother couldn't walk or talk. Despite seeing counselors and reaching out for support, no one truly understood her situation.
Turning Point with Char Rain
By the time Te Rina met Char Rain (Holistic Healer, Co-Founder), she was on a fast track to becoming another statistic: a high school dropout struggling with mental health issues and turning to alcohol and drugs to cope. Char worked with Te Rina and her whānau to begin their healing journey. Char helped Te Rina develop self-love and self-worth, teaching her to believe in herself and aspire to a brighter future. With Char's support, Te Rina graduated from university with a conjoint degree in Law and Social Science in 2016. Despite the challenges of balancing caregiving with intense studies and leaving school at the age of 15 years old, Char’s ongoing support with her mental health enabled her to complete her degree successfully.
Raising Awareness and Sharing Stories
After Te Rina shared her young caring experience on Sunday TVNZ in 2015, many whānau came forward to reveal their own struggles. They highlighted the long-term impact on young carers who lack support. Char was there every step of the way, helping Te Rina understand that, although she had self-harmed in the past, it did not define who she was, did not make her less than, and did not determine her worth.
Snippet from the Sunday TVNZ show
Founding Camp Unity
Realizing the significant unmet need, Te Rina and Char co-founded Camp Unity to extend Char Rain's holistic healing approach to all young carers, just as Te Rina had benefited. Since 2017, Camp Unity has hosted free annual camps for young carers and their families impacted by brain injury.
Expanding Support and Rebranding
In 2023, Camp Unity expanded its support to include all young carers and introduced the new Te Ara Mārama programme. This programme is designed to assist with mental health, education, employment, and life outside of caregiving. As Camp Unity evolved beyond just hosting camps, they rebranded to "Unseen Heroes," celebrating the strength and pride of young carers while ensuring they are seen, heard, and supported. #SeenHeardFound
